Dual sweep angle and indexable wiper system

ABSTRACT

A windshield wiper assembly for a dual sweep angle and indexable wiper system is provided. The system includes a wiper motor and a wiper arm for sweeping a surface of a windshield coupled to a first eccentric, the first eccentric comprising a primary eccentric and an indexable eccentric plate, wherein the indexable eccentric plate determines an eccentric offset of the wiper arm coupled to the first eccentric. The system further includes an output wiper shaft coupled to the wiper arm, a second eccentric coupled to a cam shaft, and a link coupled to the first eccentric and the second eccentric, the link having a first effective link arm length between the first eccentric and the second eccentric for driving the first eccentric to operate the wiper arm when operated in a first direction.

FOREIGN PRIORITY

This application claims priority to India Application No. 201641036696,filed 26, Oct. 2016, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35U.S.C. § 119, the contents of which in its entirety are hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to the art of windshield wipersystems, and in particular, a dual sweep angle and indexable windshieldwiper system.

Windshield wipers are used in a range of vehicles including automobiles,ships, spacecrafts, and aircrafts. In today's environment, wipers areused to increase the visibility and safety when conditions andprecipitation obstruct a vehicle operator's view. Generally wipers havea fixed range for sweeping across the window of the vehicle. The fixedrange of motion limits the compatibility with different types ofvehicles having different size windows. Some vehicles may require alarger sweep angle while others require a smaller sweep angle. Somevehicles may have large windows while others are equipped with smallwindows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a system for a dual sweep angle and indexable wiper system.The system includes a wiper motor and a wiper arm for sweeping a surfaceof a windshield coupled to a first eccentric, the first eccentriccomprising a primary eccentric and an indexable eccentric plate, whereinthe indexable eccentric plate determines an eccentric offset of thewiper arm coupled to the first eccentric. The system further includes anoutput wiper shaft coupled to the wiper arm, a second eccentric coupledto a cam shaft, and a link coupled to the first eccentric and the secondeccentric, the link having a first effective link arm length between thefirst eccentric and the second eccentric for driving the first eccentricto operate the wiper arm when operated in a first direction.

Further disclosed is an apparatus for a dual sweep angle and indexablewiper system. The apparatus includes a wiper motor, and a wiper arm forsweeping a surface of a windshield coupled to a first eccentric, thefirst eccentric comprising a primary eccentric and an indexableeccentric plate, wherein the indexable eccentric plate determines aneccentric offset of the wiper arm coupled to the first eccentric. Theapparatus further includes an output wiper shaft coupled to the wiperarm, a second eccentric coupled to a cam shaft, and a link coupled tothe first eccentric and the second eccentric, the link having a firsteffective link arm length between the first eccentric and the secondeccentric for driving the first eccentric to operate the wiper arm whenoperated in a first direction.

Also disclosed is a method for operating a dual sweep angle andindexable wiper system. The method includes operating the wiper systemin a first direction, including a first eccentric and a secondeccentric, the first and second eccentric being coupled by a link havingan effective link arm length, wherein the link is set to a firsteffective arm length based operating in the first direction, andoperating the wiper system in a reverse direction, wherein the link isset to a second effective link arm length based on operating in thereverse direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIG. 1 is a system in accordance with an embodiment for a dual sweepangle and indexable wiper system;

FIG. 2 is a first view of a system for a dual sweep angle and indexablewiper system;

FIG. 3 is a different view of a system for a dual sweep angle andindexable wiper system;

FIG. 4 is different view for a system for a dual sweep angle andindexable wiper system; and

FIGS. 5a and 5b depicts a configuration for a dual sweep angle andindexable wiper system in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one or more embodiments, systems, apparatuses, and methods for a dualsweep angle and indexable wiper system are provided. Having a fixedsweep angle may not be suitable for every application. The ability toobtain a variety of sweep angles without the need for custommanufactured parts increases the compatibility of the system withdifferent vehicle and windshield types. A wiper system having a varietyof configurations using common parts reduces the assembling complexitiesfor manufactures and costs for customers.

In an embodiment, a mechanical system to adjust the sweep angle ondemand is provided. In one or more embodiments, two or more sweep anglescan be realized by operating a drive motor of the wiper system in afirst direction and reversing the drive motor in a second direction. Thedirection of the drive motor changes an effective link arm length thataffects a wiper sweep angle in accordance with an embodiment.

In addition, the mechanical system enables the configuration of the dualsweep angles by flipping an indexable eccentric. In another embodiment,flipping the indexable eccentric changes an eccentric offset of thewiper and further modifies the sweep angle of the wiper. In one or moreembodiments, the indexable eccentric allows the same system to configurethe various sweep combinations without any modification to the wiperassembly itself. The modifiable configuration of the system increasesthe versatility of the wiper system. In a different embodiment, acontinuous variable eccentric can also be designed to have a largenumber of combinations for varying the sweep angle of the wiper system.In one or more embodiments, the sweep angle and speed of the wipers canbe varied based on a velocity of a vehicle. In a different embodiment,the sweep angle and speed of the wipers can be independently changed bya control signal from an operator.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedsystem, apparatus, and method are presented herein by way ofexemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for a dual sweep angle and indexablewiper system. System 100 includes a drive gear 102 and a driven gear104. The driven gear 104 is coupled to the cam shaft 106, where the camshaft 106 is integrated with the cam eccentric 108. Ball bearing 110 islocated between the cam eccentric 108 and the secondary eccentric 112.The secondary eccentric 112 includes a secondary eccentric tab 114 thatcontacts the compression spring 116. The compression spring 116 iscapable of maintaining and returning the wiper system 100 to the initialparking position when the motor is reversed. The link 118 transfers themotion to the wiper 120 causing it to oscillate during operation.

FIG. 1 further illustrates the wiper 120 is attached to an output wipershaft 122 where the output wiper shaft 122 is integrated to an eccentric130. A bearing 124 is placed between the eccentric 130 and the indexableeccentric plate 126. The indexable eccentric plate 126 is set within theprimary eccentric 128. The indexable eccentric plate 126 is reversiblewithin the primary eccentric 128 which changes an eccentric offset ofthe wiper output shaft 122.

The operation of the wiper system 100 begins when a motor receives asignal and drives the drive gear 102 which is coupled to the driven gear104. In one or more embodiments, the motor can drive the gears in aforward and reverse direction. In an example, if the motor drives thedrive gear 102 in a clockwise direction the driven gear 104 will rotatein the counter-clockwise direction. The driven gear 104 is coupled tothe cam shaft 106 which is integrated with the cam eccentric 108. As thedriven gear 104 is rotated, the cam shaft 106 and cam eccentric 108 willmove together during operation.

During operation, the compression spring 116 rotates in the direction ofthe driven gear 104. The compression spring 116 rotates from the parkingposition towards a link stopper located on link 118 (shown in FIG. 3)until contacting the link stopper. The secondary eccentric 112 willbecome integrated with the cam eccentric 108 and cam shaft 106 fixingthe eccentric offset where each of these components will move as oneunit. The motion from these components will be transferred to link 118which will then cause the output wiper shaft 122 to oscillate.

The motion from the link 118 causes a compression spring 316 (shown inFIG. 3) to leave the parking position and rotate towards a link stopper302 (shown in FIG. 3) on the link 118. In an embodiment, the compressionspring 316 in combination with the link tab 302 will fix a position ofthe primary eccentric 128. In one or more embodiments, the primaryeccentric 128 includes an eccentric tab (similar to the secondaryeccentric tab 114 of the secondary eccentric 112) and will rotatetowards the compression spring 316 to fix the eccentric offset of theprimary eccentric 128.

When the cam eccentric 108, the secondary eccentric 112, and the primaryeccentric 128 become fixed, an effective link arm length between the cameccentric 108 and the primary eccentric 128 can be realized. Theeffective link arm length of link 118 determines the sweep angle rangeof the output wiper shaft 122 and wiper 120. A change in the effectivelink arm length will either increase or decrease the sweep angle of thewipers 120. As the link 118 continues to operate, the primary eccentric128 will transfer the motion to the indexable eccentric plate 102. Thebearing 124 and wiper shaft eccentric 130 will then begin to oscillatein response to the transfer of the motion from the link 118. When themotor receives a signal from a control unit to reverse the direction ofthe rotation of the drive gear 102, the compression springs 116, 316 arereturned to the original parking position.

FIG. 2 provides a side view 200 of the dual sweep angle and indexablewiper system 100. The compression spring 116 and secondary eccentric tab114 are not shown in view 200. FIG. 3 provides a top view 300 of thedual sweep angle and indexable wiper system 100. The top view 300 showsthe drive gear 102 which coupled to gear 306 on the motor drive shaft308, where the gear 306 drives the driven gear 104. The top view 300also shows an alternate view of the link tabs 302, 304 of the link 118which stops the rotation of the compression springs 116, 316 duringoperation to set the position of the eccentrics 112, 128 respectively.In an embodiment, the compression spring 116 includes spring stoppertabs for contacting the link tab 302. The top view 300 also provides analternative view of the eccentric stopper tab 114 of secondary eccentric112.

During an operation when the motor drives the wiper system 100 in afirst direction, the compression spring 116 will rotate and a first tabof the compression spring 116 will contact the link tab 304 followed bythe secondary eccentric 112 setting a first eccentric offset. When themotor is reversed and drives the wiper system 100 in the oppositedirection, a second tab of the compression spring 116 will contact thelink tab 304 followed by the secondary eccentric 112 setting a secondeccentric offset. The first eccentric offset and second eccentric offsetwill change the effective link arm length that drives the output wipershaft 122. In an example, the system 100 when operated in a firstdirection can provide first sweep angle of approximately 23 degrees.Operating the system 100 in a direction opposite the first direction canincrease the sweep angle to 70 degrees.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative view 400 of the wiper system 100. Thedrive gear 102 and gear 306 (of FIG. 3) are not shown for convenience.The link 118 can be configured with a link tab 302 in a first position.The link tab 302 can be positioned in various positions 402 on the link118, allowing for multiple eccentric offset combinations. Each eccentricoffset combination can provide different sweep angles using the samehardware. In an embodiment, the link tab 302 can be assembled andpositioned during manufacturing to meet the needs of a customer.

In one or more embodiments, the primary eccentric 128 can be configuredwith a stopper tab, similar to the secondary eccentric tab 114 of thesecondary eccentric 112. The eccentric stopper tab functions incombination with the link stopper 302 and compression spring 316 to fixthe eccentric offset for the output wiper shaft 122. The eccentricoffset will vary the sweep angle of the wiper 124 during operation.

FIG. 5a illustrates a first configuration 500 a of a dual sweep angleand a wiper system 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The firstconfiguration 500 a depicts the indexable eccentric plate 126 fixedwithin the primary eccentric 128 wherein the wide portion of theindexable eccentric plate 126 is positioned away from the output wipershaft 122. In an embodiment, the eccentric offset of the firstconfiguration can be 0.182 inches.

In one or more embodiments, the indexable eccentric plate 126 can bereversed within the primary eccentric 128, wherein the indexableeccentric plate 126 affects the eccentric offset of the output wipershaft 122 changing the sweep angles of the wiper 120. In anotherembodiment, the same hardware can be used in the first and secondconfiguration reducing the complexities of manufacturing.

FIG. 5b illustrates a second configuration 500 b of a dual sweep angleand a wiper system 100. The second configuration 500 b depicts theindexable eccentric plate 126 fixed within the primary eccentric 128wherein the wide portion of the indexable eccentric plate 126 ispositioned closest to the output wiper shaft 122. The indexableeccentric plate 126 of the second configuration is positioned oppositeto that of the first configuration. In an embodiment, the eccentricoffset of the second configuration can be 0.442 inches.

In one or more embodiments, the sweep angle can be integrated with thevehicle velocity. For example, during a heavy snow or rain a smallersweep angle is preferred over a larger sweep angle. In addition, whileusing the smaller sweep angle a faster speed for oscillating the wipershould be utilized. In an embodiment, when the velocity of the aircraftexceeds a configurable threshold, the wiper system will be operated in adirection providing a smaller sweep angle, and the wipers will beoperated at a higher speed. A signal can be supplied to reverse themotor to reduce the sweep angle based on the vehicle velocity. Inanother embodiment, while the vehicle is operated at a velocity lessthan the configurable threshold, the wiper system will be operated in anopposite direction providing a larger sweep angle, and the wipers willbe operated at a slower speed. In one or more embodiments, the speed ofthe wipers and the direction affecting the sweeping angles can beindependently controlled by an operator.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents maybe substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made toadapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosurewill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A windshield wiper assembly for a dual sweepangle and indexable wiper system, the system comprising: a wiper motor;a wiper arm for sweeping a surface of a windshield coupled to a firsteccentric, the first eccentric comprising a primary eccentric and anindexable eccentric plate, wherein the indexable eccentric platedetermines an eccentric offset of the wiper arm coupled to the firsteccentric; an output wiper shaft coupled to the wiper arm; a secondeccentric coupled to a cam shaft; and a link coupled to the firsteccentric and the second eccentric, the link having a first effectivelink arm length between the first eccentric and the second eccentric fordriving the first eccentric to operate the wiper arm when operated in afirst direction.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the indexableeccentric plate is reversible to have a first and second orientationwithin the primary eccentric, the first orientation providing an firsteccentric offset of the wiper arm of the first eccentric and the secondorientation providing a second eccentric offset of the wiper arm of thefirst eccentric.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary eccentriccomprises an eccentric stopper for contacting a link tab located on thelink for setting a sweep angle of the wiper arm, the link tab beingadjustable for modifying the sweep angle.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the link comprises a first and second link tab, wherein thefirst link tab is used with an eccentric stopper of the first eccentricand the second link tab is used with an eccentric stopper of the secondeccentric.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second linktabs are configurable in different locations on the link.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the second eccentric provides a first eccentricoffset when rotated in a first direction and a second eccentric offsetwhen rotated in a second direction changing the effective link armlength and sweep angle of the wiper.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinoperating the wiper system comprises determining a direction and speedto operate the wiper system based on a velocity of a vehicle equippedwith the wiper system.
 8. An apparatus for a dual sweep angle andindexable wiper system, the apparatus comprising: a wiper motor; a wiperarm for sweeping a surface of a windshield coupled to a first eccentric,the first eccentric comprising a primary eccentric and an indexableeccentric plate, wherein the indexable eccentric plate determines aneccentric offset of the wiper arm coupled to the first eccentric; anoutput wiper shaft coupled to the wiper arm; a second eccentric coupledto a cam shaft; and a link coupled to the first eccentric and the secondeccentric, the link having a first effective link arm length between thefirst eccentric and the second eccentric for driving the first eccentricto operate the wiper arm when operated in a first direction.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the indexable eccentric plate isreversible to have a first and second orientation within the primaryeccentric, the first orientation providing an first eccentric offset ofthe wiper arm of the first eccentric and the second orientationproviding a second eccentric offset of the wiper arm of the firsteccentric.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the primary eccentriccomprises an eccentric stopper for contacting a link tab located on thelink for setting a sweep angle of the wiper arm, the link tab beingadjustable for modifying the sweep angle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the link comprises a first and second link tab, wherein thefirst link tab is used with an eccentric stopper of the first eccentricand the second link tab is used with an eccentric stopper of the secondeccentric.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and secondlink tabs are configurable in different locations on the link.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the second eccentric provides a firsteccentric offset when rotated in a first direction and a secondeccentric offset when rotated in a second direction changing theeffective link arm length and sweep angle of the wiper.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein operating the wiper system comprisesdetermining a direction and speed to operate the wiper system based on avelocity of a vehicle equipped with the wiper system.
 15. A method foroperating a dual sweep angle and indexable wiper system, the methodcomprising: operating the wiper system in a first direction, comprisinga first eccentric and a second eccentric, the first and second eccentricbeing coupled by a link having an effective link arm length, wherein thelink is set to a first effective arm length based operating in the firstdirection; operating the wiper system in a reverse direction, whereinthe link is set to a second effective link arm length based on operatingin the reverse direction.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein operatingthe wiper system comprises determining a direction and speed to operatethe wiper system based on a velocity of a vehicle equipped with thewiper system.
 17. The method of claim 16, operating the wiper systemcomprises, if the velocity of the vehicle exceeds a configurablethreshold, operating the wiper system in a first direction at anincreased speed, otherwise operating the wiper system in a seconddirection at a reduced speed.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thefirst effective link arm length of the first direction has a smallersweep angle than the second effective link arm length of the seconddirection.